Improvement in breech-loading fire-arms



A. C. STEVENS. Breeh-Loading Fire-Arm.

Pafented May 4, 1869.

mineraux.

ETERS. Photvmhngnph-r. waddngton, D. c.

lute gime @with IMPROVEMENT IN BRECH-LOADIN G- FIRE-ARMS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

Be it known that I, ABIJAH C. STEVENS, of the city of Hudson, in the county of Qolnmbia, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement'in the Construction of Locks for Breech-Loading Fire-Arms; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in whioh- Figure 1 is a longitudinal left-side view or elevation of my improved lock, when the same is uncooked, or when it and all its parts may be said to be in their normal positions, (the side of the case being removed.)

Figure 2 is a longitudinal left-side view or elevation of this lock (the side being removedhvhen it is cocked ready to strike.

Figure 3 is an exterior view of the right-hand side of this lock.

Like letters on each of the gures indicate like parts. The nature of' my invention consists in so constructing and combining the several parts of a lock for breechloading lire-arms, that the breech is opened, the cartridge-case drawn, andthe gun cocked, all in one motion; and also in locking or bracing the breech firmly against the recoil in discharging the gun, by inserting `a wedge, or bracing-block between the cock and the frame of the-lock, by .the operation and agency of the main spring.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

I construct the breech A in the usual manner, screwing the barrel into it at R, leaving suficient room at the opposite end for the cartridge b.

The cock-C is made in the form, or substantially in the form represented in gs. l and 2, and works on the same centre or pin L, as the tumbler T, and is provided with a catch, or hook, a, for withdrawing the cartridge b, and a-lso with a ring-pin, P. v

To the end of the main spring G is firmly attached the wedge, or bracing-block B, made in such form, and of such size, as tol lit and fill up the space between the back side, or heel of the cock and the frame-block F.

kThe purpose of this block is to rinly support the lock at the time of the discharge, and prevent a recoil, which it does bybeing lthrown into position by the main spring, just before the discharge takes p lace.

The striker' I is attached to the hammer H, so as to strike the discharge-pin P, and thus cause the eX- plosion of cartridge b, and produce the discharge of the gun. y

The slot K in the side of the frame, made to accommodate the striker I in cooking the gun, will be closed or cased on the inside of the frame, so as to make it perfectly tight, and prevent anything getting into the lock.

The stirrup, orlink S, which connects the end of the main spring G, whereon the brace-block B is carried, with the tumbler T, works on a pin at each end.

In this construction, notwithstanding the tumbler is separate from, and independent of the cock O, yet both work on the same centre, or pin L.

This look will operate equally well by the sear D, or dog E, working in the cock, or in the tumbler, or in both together, and therefore the notches d d, 85e., are shown on both. (See gs. 1 and 2.)

I design having the frame of my lock made of malleable or of wrought-iron, and the block F elongated and extended back, tapering gradually, until its lower line strikes the upper edge of the frame, at a distance of about three inches from the front end or head of the block, so as to make it perfectly solid and safe against recoil.

What I call the normal condition or position of this lock, and of its several parts, is represented in g. l.

By one single motion the breech isopened, the cartr'idge drawn, and the gun cocked and theseA are all effect-ed by simply drawingback the hammer H, as usual in cooking an ordinary non-breech-loading gun, and at the same time the tumbler' T, which is connected by the stirrup, or link S to the main spring G, withdrawsthe wedge, or brace-block B, and when cocked, these parts take the positions shown in iig. 2. y

The cartridge l1 is now inserted in the breech, and the linger applied to the trigger, or sear D, as usual, withdrawing the dog E from the notch d, when, the cock being free, is thrown forward with all the force of the main spring G, while at the next moment the striker I, carried by the hammer H, strikes the firing. pin P, exploding the cartridge b, and discharging/the gun, When the several parts of the lock again return to theplaces or positions represented in g. l.

' A gun with this lock can be discharged with greater rapidity, and with less exertion than with any other lock now made.

'What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

l. The combination and arrangement of hammer H, cock C, hook (l, tumbler T, and wedge-block B, so that the wedge-block B may be withdrawn, the breech A opened, and the spent cartridge b drawn, all at once, and by the single operation of cooking the gun, as or substantially as herein set forth.

2. Locking and bracing the breech iirmly against recoil just'bei'orc the striker I strikes the firing-pin P, by means of the wedge-block B, attached to the main spring G, substantially in the manner herein set forth 3. The combination of cock C and tumblerT, both Working on the same centre o1 pin L, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination and arrangement of tumbler T,cock G, notches d (l, Ste., and dog E, so that the lock may be operated equally well by the latter' working in the tumbler, or in the cock, or in both together, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

ABIJAH C, STEVENS. Witnesses:

SHERMAN VAN NEss, ALEX. S. RowLEY. 

